Coin-controlled key-locking keeper



(NoflodeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

4 W. B. ALLBN.

COIN CONTROLLBD KEY LOGKING KEEPER. NO. 593,()65

Patented Nov. 2,189?.

::SIE I L i witnesses. lmzentor.

%m f) QA ;W

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. W. B. ALLEN. COIN CONTROLLED KEY LOCKING KBEPER.

No. 593,()65. Patented Nov, 2, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATnN'r rrrong.

VVALTER B. ALLEN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

-COlN-CONTROLLED KEY-LOCKNG KEEPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patents Ne. 593,065, dated November 2, 1897.

Application filed March 17, 1897. Serial No. 627.954. (No model&

'cien tly full, clear, and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates, primarily, to the organization of mechanism for looking and for controlling the nnloeking of holding-jaws or grip devices, the object being to provide a keeper for securing bicycles or other articles temporarily left in charge, said mechanisn embracing suitable holding appliances and a key-looking means combined with a coin-con-` trolled device for primarly releasing or permitting operation of said key-looking means and its key, thereby rendering the key-lock available to the person desiring to place an article in temporary security, as more fully hereinafter explained.

Another object is to provide a mechanisn for the purpose named co'nprising, in combi nation, a pair of gripping fingers or jaws, a key-locking meansforsecuring said fingers or jaws in closed relation, an intervening device for normally preventing action of said lock, and also confining the jaWs, coin-controlled devices that release saidparts, and means for automatically resetting the parts to non-operative position after one usage of said locking appliances.

Another part of ny invention relates to the combinationvith coin-controlled key-looking appliances for the purpose named, of a registering mechanisn the object of which is to indicate 'the number of times that the lock has been used during any given period.

Another part of my invention relates to the Construction and arrangenent, as more fully hereinafter explained, of the appliances for the introduction and reception of coins, the object being to provide a nechanism that will automatically discard small coins, iron disks, and similar spurious material without effecting an operation ofthe lock-releasing mechanisni.

These objects I attain by the mechanism Fig. 5 is a sectional front View illustrating the action.

This invention as herein shown is more especially designed as a keeper for bicycles and is provided with jaws, holders, or grip devices shaped for clasping the rim and tire of a bicycle-wheel. Said holders or grip devices can, however, when desired, be shaped for holding any other kind of article for which this class of mechanisn is required. Referring to the draWings,'A indicates the case or frane for containing the Operating parts, which comprise a pair of holding devices or jaws B, a key-operated looking bolt or bar C, adapted for confining and releasing said jaws, and a coin-controlled block or de- Vice D, arranged for normally confining both the key-looking nechanism and the holdingjaws and operated for releasing the same upon the introduction of a proper coin. The proper coin for the purposes of this invention will be denominated a five-cent piece or nickelg but it Will be understood that this mechanisn can, if in any instances desired, be arranged for control by a coin of other denominations without departure from the nature of the invention or changing the mode of operation.

The holding fingers or j aWs B are each provided with a head portion forrned with a straight lateral face b or suitable surface for engagenent by the lock, and said jaws are pivoted to swing laterally upon a stud or bolt a, fixed in the bed plate A'. A suitable spring E is best arranged in connection with the heads of the jaws for returning said jaws to their normal central and closed position after they have been opened. Said spring is shown as secured to the bar at e, With its free ends respectively pressing outward against the backWardly-forked ends of the jaw for Swinging the same against stops or lugs a', fixed in the plate.

IOO

The .lock-iframe C' is strong-ly fied u'p'on the bed-plate A'in snch reiati'onto the faces b of the jaws that its bolt C When throvm forward will rest against or stand closely adjaeent to said faces.

The look meohanisn may be of anysnitabie Construction,as'dsired, 'but is ar'ranged with a key-stop 0 consisting of a lug or pin fixed to the frane and projecting into the keyway, i

so as to limit the rotation of the key When the bit has been turned back snflieiently for the The head of the lock-bar C may be made laterally broad, or seas to match the ngaging An n pright ru or e faces 'bon the javv-heads. V ;pin 3 'isffixed o'n the fore end of the ioek bar,

'and a similar hgor pi '11 5 'fs'fixe'd Oil the reat par't'of 'fine head of the enter 'jaw B.

is adaptd 'for itercepting the coin dro'pped flherei, as indicated 'by dottedhhes, Fig. 3.

`Said'sh''t affords asnffieient 'spa'eeforthe 'fi-ee swi''g of the ie'ver to the required `1iI`nit`fits 4 I i each reoiproatioii of the lock-bar, and a'snite Doihead'of the lever 'm'a'y 'be fn'ade hollow'for'lightne'ss andthereai' en d; 'extended'and 'provided `W`ith 'ad'j stable eonn- "terwei'ghtsfl preferably 'screiv threaded n'p'o'n the extend'ed'end of the lever D'.

movement.

The dog block TI indicates 'the "com-race, and I the'slide piate rgate for'earrying c'o'in 'froni the exte ior `to the drop-dinte G, which i's ara'ngea 'to receive the niekel through the pi'oper sized `pening Gr' in the 'race H, turn the 'sam-e so its disk will 'stand -in verticalplahand to condnotsaid eoii onto the'tng'e "d d'iiit'o-a eh'ainber r iecepmclea, benth The race i's provided With a `sinallerfpreceding opening 'L' thaterhuni-z 'cats'ivitha ohntehthrongh which' anysniall- *sizd'oin's, asjne-eent 'pieees,'will drp and be delivered, as at'L'intoa'eonpartiiieiit'or `re`c`eptac1eJ gspmner roin the coins by which thelckriechanism'is' otrlled Thesiide- *gate I is 'provided with the iisnal hle i for re eiv'in'g'the edin; and is adapted tobe drawn' it to the 'position i? (indicated 'by *dotted iiies) to fajeilitate the depds'it of a coin thete- 'ih 'and to'be thn'hovd back nntii'its'e'iid `s'trik'e's t he stop 77 at whichflpsitionthe hole of'the gate coiricides ivith'the holeG" of the `chu`te G.

the bed-plate.

rran ec over e Coina e a s i 'a e A i th ,tLtutbl The reat "as occasion'ma require.

distance there'from, I provide a magnet M, *seemed in pia'ce With it's nnde'e'snrface preferably flnsh With the inner surface-of the case A. At one side of the race H, I provide a lateral passway and a corresponding semieireniar space n through the bottom thereof in'to a chnte N, that leads to a discharge-orifice N', preferably opening to the exterior at the re'ar or bottom of the case. An inchned rb or shoulder m is arranged across the race- 'way above the gate I and just forward of the ,side opening on spacen, said IIClUQ direoting ,toward said space. The reanend of the gate is 'provided With 'an npwardly-projeating lip m and a cut-away space that substantiahy eorresponds with 'the space n when the gate is at outward position. The n ppeedge of 'the lip *m noves "along the under surface of the ma net and'eas'ing when "the gate is operated, 'c'iosel y adjacent, *but preferably Wi th- 'o'n't bearing cn taet therewith.

K 'An finte posable piece, which 'I "Will 'tering 'the dog-block D,`is adapted to fifeeiydrop 'i'r'ftovthe s ace between'the side faces bjo'f the* .jew-'heads and the'ejnd 'face of 'the lock-"bala f This dog-block is connected to or frns a {part er aieverD',Which`is`fniernined atfih a s'ivivelfstF toh ve'iip'ward and downward levemge aii@ lateral swinging movement. *partof 'the level? extends 'to 'the oindrop 'chtiteQ'andisprovided with'a'projectig prt r or jtngne d, that-'extends laterahy 'throw 'gh 'a slote'fr'd insmd cn'te, and "which tongue a v In so'rhe 'insfa ncs it'i's desired to record the 'iiir'nber f 'times the keeper is need, *and 'for snh-pnrposea registering me'ehanis'ni iscom- "bin'ed 'therewith *for operation "a s folloivs: Said mechanism preferahly'eomprises 'a register-'dr'un 0, adapted for su porting a'strip `of paper P abn't its periphery, which iscorrngated or grooved to p'e'r'init of *the 'paper `'being readily pahetnred. The drum O is coneetedwith a screw th eaded hubO', that 'is mouh'ted in a'stationary hearing R, adapted 'for enga ging "said screw-thread, and npon a sphed i s'h'aft S', turning in 'said bearingand having fixed 'thereon a i'ttchet-wheel S. A pawl T,'*cnnectedwith 'the lock-bar O, is 'arranged 'for rnovingsaid 'ratchet one notch at *parts intermittent *motion to the shaft S'.

Acordingl y the 'registendrun "is rotatively ad'va'nced step 'by step, and at each rot'ation isslifiped iongitudnaHynpon `'the 'shaft by the action f 'the *screw-thread, 'so that the `\vi11 beofise't fronrthe pre'ceding li'ne of pnnctnres "a 'distance eqnl to the pitch of the screw. 4 'The 'register drni'n is provided with means 'u 'fr' secil -ing and `releasin-g the ends of the pape'r P, whic'his arranged abn't the faee'theref and ea'n'be taken off 'andrenewed The register-drnm can be removed and replaced, as occasion requires, =forehangingthe paper strip by rais- IIS ing the bearing-oap, which may be hinged and latched, as indicated in Fig. 5, or other suitable means. I

The operation is as follows: The parts beingin position as indicated in full linos in Figs. 1, 3, and el, in which position the jaws or fingers B are held from opening movement by the dog-block D, any person desiring to lock up his wheel draws out the gate I, bringing its hole e' to the position 7?, deposits a nickel therein, and slides in the gate. When the hole 72 of the gate reaches the hole G' in the raoeway, the nickel drops down the chute Gr, striking the tongue d of the dog-block lever D', and by gravity of the ooin depressing the same in the slot 6, thereby actuating the lever and raising the dog-block D from between the jaw-heads and lock-bar, as indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 5, while the tongue iutercepts and retains the nickel at the slot G. The jaws or fingers B are then free to be spread or opened, (see dotted lines Fig. 1,) so that the rin of the bicycle-wheel can be inserted between them. After entering his wheel-rim between the jaw-fingers B the operator turns the key K of the lock C', throwing forward the lock-bar C, so that its face strikes the side -faces b of the jaw-heads, closing or forcing the jaws B together and eitectually looking the same with the wheelrim or article held securely within the grip. By the movement of the lock-bar G the pin 3 is advanced against the side of the dog block D, swinging said dog and its lever D' laterally on the vertical axis of its swiveled fulcruin-post F to a position substautially as indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 1, and in Fig.-5. This lateral movement withdraws the tongue d from the slut, allowing the intercepted nickel to pass down into the receptacle J. The movement also forces the prick-finger Q against the paper P. hen the parts are thus locked, the operator can remove the key K from the lock, put it in his pocket, and go about his business or pleasure, leaving his bicycle Secured in the grip of the keeper nechanism until such time as he may choose to return. In the meantime if any one attempts to effect operation of the lock by introduction of a nickel the coin merely passes into the receptacle J, as it is not intercepted by the tongue d, the holding devices or jaws being at such time under control of the keylock only. 4

XVhen 'the person having the key returns for his wheehhe inserts the key in the lock and, turning, it throws back the lock-bar, thereby releasing the grip of the keeper-jaws and at the same ti ne advaucing the ratchet-wheel and register-drum one notch by the action of the pawl T. The keeper-ja being released the action of removing the wheel or article therefron spreads the jaws apart and the pin 5 swings against the side of the dog-block D, moving it to a position above the intermediate space and swinging the tongue d of the lever D' into the slot 6 of the coin drop-chute G. The spring E forces the jaws together as the wheel is freed theret'rom, and the dogblock drops into the intermediate space between the lock-bar C and face i) of the jawheads, thereby looking the jaws against opening until again released. After the dog-block falls into position the key-lock cannot be worked nor the key K removed therefroin until said dog-block is raised by the introduction of a proper coin or nickel in the chute G, as above explained.

In case a person inserts a small eoin or cent it drops through the hole L' and is directed by the chute into the compartment J' without effecting any operation of the mechanisn.

In case it is attenpted to work the neehanisn by means of an iron or steel Washer or disk inserted in the gate I such disk is drawn up from 'the opening' of the gate and held by` the magnet M without passing to the dropchute G. Then when the gate is again drawn out the lip 'm' sorapes the disk W' from the magnet (see Fig. 2) and, in conjunction with the inelined shoulder m, shoves said disk or Washer laterally over the out-away space n, so that it falls through the ch ute N and is ej ected froni the case at the exit opening N', or, if desired, into some suitable receptacle con` nected with said exit.

As the lever D' is swung laterally the point of the prick-finger Q is carried toward the registei druin and oansed to puncture the paperarranged about said drum. (See dotted linos, Fig. l). Each time the lock is worked a punetore is made at a new place, and as the drum revolves the lines of puncture are offset by the end wise motion caused by the screw O. The paper P is placed on the drum O and started at zero, and when the case is opened for collection the paper strip is removed and shows a series of rows of perforations, the number of whichshows the number of nickels to be accounted for.

The lever D', with the dog-block D and the adjustable counterpoise-weights 7, act as a weight for the coin, and can, by adjustnent of the poise, be made to operate or rcsist operation within a very close margin to the exact gravty of the class of coins designed to be used in any instance 'for controlling the mechanism.

In practice the case A or a series of such cases, each containing a like organized' mechanism, is attached in any suitable manner to a bench or standing support of convenient height for receiving the bicycle-wheels, these stands being located at such situations as the public acconnn odation may require.

I claim as of my invention and desire to sccure by Letters Patenta l. The jaws or gripping-ngers adapted for reoeiving and embracing the rim and tire of a bicycleuvheehin combination with a key-operated looking mechanisn for holding said jaws closed, and a coin controlled looking and releasing dog that normally confines said IIO parts and is primarily releasable for permit- 'ti-n'g operation of the lock by the key, substantially as setforth.

2. In coinbination with 'holdi11g-jaws, gripfingers 'or keepers -adapted 'for 'retaini ng a ey cle wheelor otherartiele g a key-operated lock that looks and unlookssaid jaws, grip-fingers 'or keepers, a dog block that automatically looks said jaws when' the key-operated look is 'retracted and also prevents action of said keylock, and means' for releasing said dog-,block controlled by introduction of `a proper Coin.

3. The lock mechanism'operated by a removable key, said key removable when the lock-bar is at locked position ineonbination With the pivoted holding-jaws adapted to be secured by said lock-bar, an intervening coincontrolled device that engages and arrests movement of both said lock and jaws, and

"lock-bar and jaw-heads.

5. In combination, thegrip-fingers'or jaws pivoted upon the bed, their pivot-heads fitted with stop-faces, the key-operated look fixed on said bed, itslook-bar adapted to shoot against said stop-faces, the 'guide pins re-,

speotively fixed on said lock-bar and the outer jaw-head, the tilting lover `carrying a dogblock-that corresponds to the space traversed by the look-bar head, and having the coinintercepting tongue, the swivel-post supporting the fulcrurn of said lever, and the coin drop-chute having a slot for the entrance and movement of said intercepting-tongue, substantially as set forth.

G. In combination with the keeper-j a ws and the key-operated lock-bar; the dog-block and tiltable dog block lever fulcrumed in the swiveling post, said lever having a'tongue for intercepting the ooin, and provided with adjustable counterpoise devices, for the purpose set forth.

7. In acoin-controlled mechanism,the combination with the gate race or way by which the coin is introduced, and a slidin g gate therefor, of aside exit-passage and .an overhead .magnet located between the point of entrance and the coin drop opening, and means .for elearing off the under surface of said magnet, brought into aetionby the movement of said sliding gate, for the purpose set fOrth. r

8.' The oo'mbination with the eoin gate-raee, of the side eXit-passageand waste-ehute'N, 'the overlying magnet, the front stop-shoulder m, and the sliding gate provided with a 'lip or fiange 772 at its inner end, substantially as set forth. r

9. The combination, with the gravity-actir ated :lever that releases the locked mechanisin, having a tongue that iutercepts the fall of the eoin; of the gate-race .provided with the side 'exit mthe small Coin-pass L' and the regular drop-opening Garranged in the order shown, the drop-chute leading to the main reoeptacle and having a slot for the lever-tongue, the chute L for small' ooi-ns, the

overlying magneth, the waste-'ohute N, the

laterally-inclined shoulder m, and the slidegate Ihavingwthe opening and the uppurposes set forth.

10. The combinationwith the jaws,the key operated lock, the dogblock and its lever adapted to have lateral movement; of the register wheel or drunadapted for supporting a paper strip, its shaft and ratchet-wheel, the pawl connected with the'lock mechanisin, and the marking point orfinger 'Operating in conpose set forth. p

11. The register drum having a screwthreaded hub or surface, a supporting-bearing engaging said screw-thread, the splined drum-shaft, the actuating-ratchet therefor, and its pawl Operating in oonjunction With the lock-bar, and the narking point or finger mounted 011 the dog-blockdever support; in eombination with the looking-bar, the coincontrolled dog-bl0ck lever and parts secured thereby, substantially as set forth.

XVitnessmy hand this 13th day of March. 1897.

WALTER B. ALLEN. W'itnesses:

CHAS. H. BURLEIGH, ELLA P. BLENUs.

,Wardlyprojecting transverse lip m 'for the r ,junction with said register-drum, for the pur- 

